Stinky backyard prompts KSPCB to issue notice to water board, hotels

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board on Monday ran into an unusual situation right in its backyard. It found that the drainage on Church Street, parallel to M.G. Road, overflowed and the entire area stank.

Faced with a situation that residents face all too often across the city, the KSPCB issued notice to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for the overflowing drain. A letter from KSPCB Chairperson Vaman Acharya asked BWSSB officials to “immediately intervene” in the matter saying the drainage needed immediate basis.

Another notice was issued to the smorgasbord of eateries on the road, asking them to stop dumping their waste outside, which according to the KSPCB is responsible for the clogging. KSPCB officials inspected all hotels in the area, a press release said.

BWSSB Engineer-in-Chief Venkatraju said that tenders for relaying the pipes have been called. “It is a perennial problem there because the pipes are old. Their diameter is only 7 inches and they cannot take the load. They need to be replaced.”

Previous tenders had evoked no response. “Now we have retendered the project. This is being done in collaboration with the BBMP.”